I have never and most likely won’t ever be a coffee drinker. The jitters, stains on teeth and addiction aren’t very appealing to me. So, aside from the fact that I’m Jamaican, and we think tea is the remedy for everything – from the common cold to a broken leg (don’t ask), that has always been more my speed. As of late, I’ve found myself intrigued by the surge of loose-leaf tea brands popping up in recent years.
What is loose-leaf tea exactly? Dried crushed tea leaves sold in a packet or container rather than in individual tea bags or sachets. Loose-leaf tea is proven to have many more benefits than its counterpart, traditional tea bags.
It’s More Flavorful
Loose-leaf tea utilizes the whole leaf, whereas most tea bags are solely the “dust and fanning” from broken tea leaves, which compromises the quality of the tea. These broken leaves lose most of their essential oils and aroma, causing the tea to lose its flavor. Loose-leaf tea not only maintains these essential oils but given the fact that It isn’t trapped in a bag can expand and release all of its natural flavors.
It’s Better for You
With this ability to expand given its loose state, water can infuse every inch of a whole leaf to extract more antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. You’re able to truly receive tea’s complete benefit.
Brands to Know
Good Thoughts Tea Co.
Centered around the healing properties of herbs, Good Thoughts Tea Co.’s main goal is to help heal from the inside out. Founded in 2014 by Ebone’ McCloud, Good Thoughts Tea Co. provides handmade blends with a number of benefits ranging from womb health, reducing the onset of colds, to relieving stress and anxiety. Prices range from $5 – $22 depending on package size.
Ivy’s Tea Co.
Inspired by pop and hip-hop culture, the holistic health brand Ivy’s Tea Co. offers a unique array of herbal tea and herb-infused sweeteners. Each product name is derived from pop culture, with blends entitled 3 Stacks, Pusha Tea, Red Bone, Chun-Tea and more. The brand believes drinking teas and other herbal infusions are easy ways to nourish your body with the regenerative minerals they need. Teas range is price from $10.50 and up.
Tea Drops
If loose leaf tea is something you’d like to try, but you’re more into indulging on the go, I’d highly recommend giving the brand Tea Drops a try. This innovative company has created organic pressed tea drops that dissolve in your cup. Helmed as loose-leaf tea without the fuss, the LA-based brand was inspired by owner Sashee Chandran’s Chinese and Sri Lankan heritage. Tea Drops offers caffeinated and decaffeinated teas in flavors such as citrus ginger, sweet peppermint, Matcha green tea and rose earl grey. (Beginning at $10 per pack of 10 or $2 for a single serve) Tea Drops has also recently partnered with Thirst Project, which provides clean water to those in need.